Know it! - Reversible and Irreversible - Year 5

The educational activities provided focus on the concept of reversible and irreversible materials, aimed at Year 5 students. The materials in question are those which can either return to their original form after a change (reversible) or cannot (irreversible). One of the engaging activities is 'Cops and robbers', where pupils have a set time to recall and write down what they know about reversible and irreversible materials. They then have the chance to 'steal' ideas from peers to enhance their own understanding, with points awarded for plausible statements. This encourages students to actively engage with the topic and consolidate their knowledge through peer learning.

Another activity is 'Word sorts', which challenges students to identify words related to reversible and irreversible materials from a mixed list. They must distinguish these from unrelated terms, such as those connected to sound, and circle the relevant words. Additionally, students are tasked with determining which items will dissolve in water and categorising changes as reversible or irreversible by placing an 'I' or 'R' in the provided boxes. Finally, 'Give me three!' prompts them to list three states of water and three mixtures that cannot be reversed. These activities are designed to be completed within a ten-minute timeframe and aim to reinforce students' understanding of the properties of materials and their ability to change.